Set six years after season 6, Occupied Equestria presents an alternative history where the Changelings have conquered half of Equestria, while a former Equestrian colony - soured to Princess Twilight's notion of harmony with all creatures thank to their dealing with griffins - Invaded and took the other half. In Baltimare and the Equestrian Southeast, the magic of friendship has weakened, as Communists, Changeling infiltrators, Fascists, gangs, and corrupt creepy politicians threaten the city. This role play is based in large part upon the Equestria at War mod for Hearts of Iron 4, and uses D&d 3.5e mechanics.
Half of the party - Brie, Onyx, and Spark - are on a train to far off Bales to try to cross the border into the Changeling Lands. the other half remains in Baltimare, where Silver is searching catacombs seeking books filled with long buried dark secrets, Dark Star is having luck with his marefriend, and Iron aiding in trafficking exotic animals
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>>93401"10 bits? the price has gone up quite a bit since i was a colt."
Dark star Hoofs over 10 bits, thanks the attendant then Trots back over to blue.
>>93406Iron jumps a little, turning around.
"You are one sneaky zebra."
He chuckles.
"Well, my job with that client before is done, so I thought to pay you a visit. Maybe set up another job."
>>93407"This comes with at least some attraction tickets"
Says the colt
>>93408She nods, eyes half closed
"What was the nature of your job with that client anyways?"
>>93409Iron shrugs.
"Simple foal hunt of sorts. Either ensure their safety or bring them back to the abbey they were taken from. Now it is done. Nothing else to say, really, apart from meeting some members of the gang."
>>93410"So it is. Did it pay well?"
>>93412Iron shakes his head.
"No. It was a severe dissapointment in many levels. There was not even a fight. Just talking. Although meeting more gang members sure is nice. I found many who know your name, actually."
>>93414She laughs slightly
"Nice to see I am so well known"
Then she says
"Is that what you wanted? A fight?"
>>93415Iron looks down, scratching his hoof.
"Well, no. I was looking for something that would at least bring some sort of renown. Something that expands my reputation. I do not think simply talking to ponies does that."
He looks up.
"Well, I
did go and handled a tiger, which was not as fun as it sounds."
He extends his unarmored hoof, covered in now sealed scratches.
>>93416"I think talking is how most politicians get their jobs"
She looks down and inspects Iron's very scratched up body, and starts to laugh, but covers her mouth with her hoof
"Looks like you got your fight..."
>>93413"Which Attractions take tickets?"
>>93417Iron chuckles.
"I suppose. Although it was very one-sided. Lucky animal tore right through my armor and scratched me all over. I can show you all the marks still."
>>93419Well, you said he was a commie horse. >>93419>>93405Señor Hilter>Señor Stalin
>>93418"Ferris Wheel, the roller coaster, the funhouse, the carousel, the house of oddities..."
>>93420Her expression now turning almost to a sort of concern, she says
"I can see them from here"
>>93422"Give me 8 more tickets."
>>93421You're not wrong.>>93422Iron waves his hoof.
"Relax. Saint Gallop treated me before leaving, but I will not object if you want to use any spare potions you have, or a bed actually."
>>93423That's the point, dummy :3 >>93424"Sure thing. 4 bits"
>>93425She backs away
"Alright then, if you say so"
>>93426Iron cocks his head.
"If you want, you can ensure that her work is okay. I do not mind. I think I need a place to rest. You are the better healer of the two, I would imagine."
>>93426Dark star Gives the Stallion the bits needed, thanks the attendant then trots back over to blue.
>>93428Well, she looks at him, and awaits his next move
>>93427"Well, I would think that I am" she says
>>93429Iron smiles.
"I know. Where to do you want me to strip off my armor to do your magic?"
>>93430She smiles again
"Oh, my magic doesn't require you stripping down. But there is a place"
>>93429Dark Star Grins at her
"Well i got the tickets. you said you need to get back to work right? i think i'll head back to the Tavern and Take a Power Nap until you get off work tonight."
>>93431"And where that might be?"
>>93432"Yes, I need a couple hours"
>>93433"There's an apartment on sixth I use. I can help you there"
>>93434"Sure thing, you can lead the way."
Iron smiles.
>>93434"Alright,ill let you get back to looking at those pictures. ill pay for your trip back to the HQ, we can share a ride."
Is the taxi still there?
>>93435She takes him down a few streets, past shops and apartment blocks, to a brick apartment building. Then inside, up one flight of stairs. It sort of looks like one of the buildings that Iron visited that first that first night
"Well, here we are. My personal apartment. "
She starts to unlock it
>>93436If you tell them to stay, then sure
"Alright" she says
>>93437"Ah, reminds me of that job where I tried to throw a mattress out of the window."
Iron chuckles.
>>93438She giggles
"That was a..." as if in genuine loss for words "an interesting choice of yours"
>>93437Sure he would have told him to wait
Dark Star helps her into the taxi then gets in
>>93439"It was going to be amazing. Jumped out of a window to land on the mattress. A quick, flashy getaway. Thinking back, the adernaline may have influenced my decision."
Iron laughs.
>>93441"Yes, it must have been the same as influenced your decision to wrestle a tiger"
She opens the door, showing a simple enough apartment, with a kitchen to the left - some counters, a sink, cabinets - and a living room over to the far end, with couches, a chair, and a radio. To the right are doors
>>93440And thus, they both get back into the Taxi
>>93442Which is closer the tavern or the Headquarters?
>>93443Hmmm... probably the Tavern
>>93442Another set of chuckles.
"I was actually thinking it was just a big kitty that needed some petting."
As he enters the room and closes the door, he nods.
"Your place is quite well stocked, Cauldron."
>>93445She laughs at the cat remark
"Don't you have those in the jungle where you come from?"
"Oh, it's not that fancy. But it is what I need to live alone."
>>93446Iron chuckles.
"Yes. There is a story where a tiger was raised in my tribe. I never had the chance to see it, but they said it acted just like any cat here would. Just a little on the bigger side. It is rumored that it still prowls around the tribe to this day."
He still nods.
"Well, I only need some grass to sleep, so my mind is blown by how much you have here."
>>93447She now advances into the room, and lays down on the couch with her feet under her
"That's neat to have domesticated Tigers. I'm not sure I've ever seen one. I'm surprised that You find all of this to be high class. But I guess it would be, coming from an agrarian tribal background"
>>93444Ok when They Get to the tavern dark Star asks "How much to take my Marefriend Back to The Baltimare Grand Hotel?"
i think thats it i cant quite remember the name. >>93449"5 bits for the whole trip
he says
>>93450Dark Star kisses Blue then pays the cab driver.
>>93448Iron looks warily at the couch, then at the floor..
"I might still want to remove my armor just in case my weight makes me fall through the floor."
He shakes his head.
"It is not that we have many domesticated tigers around. It was just chance and a native mare who has special connections with animals gave the little tiger some comfort."
Finally he shrugs.
"You are right. Many of our huts are made of clay and stone. Not much else apart from that."
With that, he starts the long process of taking his armor.
>>93451She smiles in her way after the kiss
"I'll see you soon enough"
>>93452She giggles
"Suit youself. Or rather,
unsuit yourself.
I've heard stories from my father of what it was like in Zebrica. He described many of the buildings and homes in villages being made out of simple wood, or even cob. I guess it's not so different"
>>93454As he takes off the chest plate, he nods, absorbing the information.
"Huh. I suppose you are right."
After a little while of unstrapping and unequipping, curiousity over this Zebrica arises.
"What was it like there, according to your father?"
He looks around, trying to find a place to place his armor pieces and shield.
>>93454Dark Star smiles Back at her
"i'll see you later,Blue."
He Waves at her as She is Drove Back to the HQ and after They're out of sight He heads inside the Tavern.
>>93456She looks back to him
"As I understand it, it was a very big place with many different cultures and environments. His area was tropical forest, mostly. Maybe not as wet as the jungles down south, but not that different either. Much of the country lived in rural villages with relatively simple architecture. There were larger cities by some of the coast lines and rivers, but nowhere was it as industrial or advanced as this city"
He can probably stand on the floor, and move his armor off to the side of the couch
>>93457He is back at the tavern. Does he have a room there?
>>93458Iron nods.
He walks over to the couch, placing his armor pieces on the side of it.
"I see, so it was a more arid version of the jungle nearby."
He tentatively places a hoof on the couch, half-expecting to break the poor piece of furniture.
>>93458The room he had was just for the day.
Dark Star walks over to the Bartender
"Hey,Whats the best way to make sure i wont have a hang over?"
dark Star asks while smelling more like a bar than the actual bar.
>>93459The couch does not break
"I suppose" she says
"I was considering taking you to his house, but I think he'd rather not see me bringing back a pony stallion"
>>93460"Don't get drunk" he responds
>>93461Iron chuckles.
"I take it he is going to beat me with a stick?"
Another hoof is placed on the couch.
>>93461Dark Star Laughs
"yea that works 100% of the time. but if i've already Drank? Speaking of drink will you get me a whiskey?"
>>93462"Oh no, of course not. He would piece your heart, and mine, with a disappointed glare. If anypony is going to beat you, it would be me with a tire iron"
>>93463"Drink water, and sure"
>>93464Iron chuckles
"That is not very nice of you. I get it though. Does he want a zebra as your future husband?"
>>93464"oh and get me some water to."
>>93465"Yes, and zebra grandchildren"
>>93466"coming right up"
>>93467Iron nods understandingly as he fully places himself on the couch in the same position as Cauldron, facing her. A curious expression is made as she looks at her features.
"Judging by the lack of even a coltfriend, there is no such thing here. Am I wrong with that assumption?"
>>93467"in the biggest glass you have."
>>93468>>93468"I don't have any children, Zebra or otherwise, if that is what you are asking"
Her color scheme is of whites, greys, and black stripes, and ironically the zebra is less grey in color than most of the party members, with the white and black dominating. Her eyes are blue and her nose is grey, with a pure black and short mane. She's a bit more muscular on the limbs than a normal female, which is hardly surprising if cracking limbs is her profession. Her flanks are white with a big black - you guessed it - cauldron them, in the same style as a cutie mark.
>>93469"Here you go"
He hoofs over a giant glass of water
>>93473Dark Star Slugs it down.
"i also need a room to sleep in. how much for a room?"
I a in a strange position where no food is being brought to my house. I think I will have to go get some>>93476Okay, Blue Skies is finally free to be met up with
>>93475"For how long?" he asks
>>93472Iron nods.
"Well, I meant that you never found a zebra stallion to copulate with, but I guess that kind of answers it."
He looks at his own grey coat.
(Why do most ponies I have met have grey on them?)
"Frankly, my father would just pat me on the back no matter which female species I bring back as long as it produces offspring. I am unsure why he is like that. Other ponies back at my tribe are a lot more restrained than him, opting for ponies of the three main tribes."
(Maybe he had many misadventures on his own path to maturity?)
>>93477Well, Silver was initially going to the gun store to see if he can get his new melee and firearm acquisitions battle-ready while he met up with Blue, but whatever.
Hope whatever you get is good. >>93477"Uh, how much for a week? that would probably be cheaper than paying for each day individually,right?"
>>93479What do you want to do?
>>93478She laughs a little
“There really aren’t that many non-ponies in Equestria. East Equestria, anyways”
>>93480“50 bits”
>>93481Before heading over to the Grand Baltimare Hotel? A quick trip to the gun store, see if they're willing and able to clean and fix/sharpen his new weapons: the Bits Gun, the combat knife, and the Canterlot sword.
>>93481Iron nods.
"I understand."
He looks over his wounds.
"Did anything interesting happen these last two days?"
>>93482Very well
>>93484“First one on the left, upstairs”
>>93483“There’s been increasing tension within the gang as whole”
>>93485"thanks."
And with that Dark Star walks up the stairs and goes into his room and puts his satchel and Saddle bag in his chest,takes his shirt off and puts it in a chair. then he gets in bed eager to drift off to sleep and Experience any Dreams that may come his way.
>>93486She has an expression of concern
"Since the massacre on Black Briar Pier a few days ago, they has been vastly increased tension between the main sections of the gang and the portion lead by Underboss Antonio Pransciso. There is a strong belief running through the gang that he was responsible for it in some way, because it was his operation that arranged the arms transports and some of the protection squads. He claims otherwise, but the suspicion is on him. Other ponies claim that it was an entirely different criminal operation that is trying to set up in Baltimare, a so called 'slaughterking.' Still others believe that the government set the entire thing up as an excuse for a crackdown.
Both of these two claims are made more plausible by the events in Manehattan over the past couple weeks, which in themselves are worrying. The new governor there has ordered a 'purge' of any criminal syndicate elements, and more control on shipping in and out. There is a fear that the same could happen here. There is also talk of Manehattan syndicate agents coming to Baltimare."
>>93487Where is Dark Star's mind at? What are his hopes, his fears, and concerns?
>>93488Iron nods as she tells the current situation.
"I would believe the last possible option. So far you people seem too united to try and backstab eachother, or else there would be more than one gang in these parts."
He ponders for a moment.
"And this Manehattan place also seems to cracking down on crime it seems. I think that solidifies that any organization that looks for political power without dipping into organized crime may be responsible. It is too much of a coincidence that the attack and the subsequent crackdown elsewhere moments from eachother. If there was a new family setting in with such anonimity that no one knows him, it must be working for the government."
He scratches his chin for a bit.
"There were no acts of aggression inbetween the gang these past couple of days, right?"
>>93488>black briar pier>>93488He's pretty happy right now.He Hopes to have a big Family with blue,He hopes to one day be able to lead new mareland,he's afraid there's not enough forces in the area to ward off the changlings for long.he's afraid that that blue Doesn't actually like him.He's Concerned what those Little monsters are gonna do once they get home.He's concerned about running a bit low on bits.
>>93489“Most individuals within the gang are still looking for power, wealth, and respect. It’s far from inconceivable that an underboss wanted more. Or at least, was trying to do things on the side that blew up in his face. Almost literally.
Well, the crackdown in Manehattan began two weeks before the massacre of Black Briar. It’s two separate jurisdictions. But if it could happen there, it could happen here.
There has not been any violence within the gang. The fear of possible crackdown is helping to keep the situation from boiling over.”
>>93490What’s wrong with the name? Did I call it ‘Blackwood Road’?I think I can use this
>>93491Iron nods for a bit.
"Do you think any underboss would trade with 'coh-muh-neests' if they gave enough money?"
>>93493Iron pouts for a bit.
"Those ponies that ask for equality because they are too entitled to work or explore any options to adapt?"
[1d4 = 1]>>93494“Do you mean the Communists?”
>>93490Dark Star wakes up in his new room
>>93496Iron nods.
"I believe the attack happened due to their ideology. Their kind of narrative is the one that would get bullied on since only weaklings would follow it."
>>93498“Why would the communists carry out the masacre?” She asks
>>93499He shakes his head.
"No. The communists were the ones that were attacked. Did you not hear any of their rhetoric while you were guarding the area?"
[1d2 = 1]>>93500“No... what are you getting at?”
>>93501Okay, more or less
>>93502>2 1's in a row>Deep concernHe Stands up and looks over at the window
>>93502Iron shakes his head.
"Nevermind. I think the adrenaline is making me join dots that may or may not exist."
He giggles.
"Who knows? I might have even suggested that the changelings did it."
>>93503It’s still light outside. Not much time has passed
>>93505He heads back down stairs to get some more water so the hang over isn't as bad
Onyx stares at the passing landscape out the window, wondering how his life reached the point that he'd ignore all of his parents' advice and even consider helping changelings.
Boy the changes war will make on a stallion.
>>93507"I don't mean to be intrusive... but I was curious. You are skilled with a halberd, but that is not really what I picture a soldier using most often. How did you come to be so skilled with that weapon as opposed to a gun?"
>>93506Two little colts block ur path
>>93507Just let that lonesome whistle blow his blues away
>>93504“Why would changelings do it?”
>>93509"eh? where did you 2 come from?"
>>93510They don’t respond. Each looks at him sternly. Then, they erupt into green flame, revealing chitinous black creatures with pure blue eyes: Changeling drones
“Hiss!”
“Hiss!”
>>93508"No no it's fine. I've actually got two reasons, the first was my position in the military. It was better for me to be skilled with more conventinal weapons than firearms. The second was some advice I got. See, when I was just a baby my momma told me "son, always be a good colt don't ever play with guns." Something about "You'll get involved in gangs and shoot a stallion in Reino just to watch him die" Or something. As weird as she could be I did decide to follow her advice, and here I am."
>>93511"OH HORSE HOCKEY"
Dark Star reaches for his pistols
>>93512"Interesting..."
Spark just sits there and wonders what the crystal horse is talking about.
>>93514I’m’a get you
>>93515The two small drones leap closer to Dark Star, and when they land, he can see a stream of his own joy being sucked straight out of him, replacing it with a deep feeling of dread. Loneliness. Sadness. Emptiness.
>>93516Honestly Onyx wonders the same thing sometimes
"Now what about you? Where are you from?"
>>93517Not if I get myself first
>>93517"Reeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee. Buck off or I'll shoot!"
Dark Star kicks at them
>>93518"Canterlot. Just a student from magic school."
>>93519It hisses more, then sucks more from him
>>93520Onyx nods
"Interesting, what was that like if you don't mind me asking?"
>>93521Dark Shoots at both of them
"Then Die"
>>93522"It was gorgeous, but I wasn't exactly a star student."
>>93525Onyx smirks a little bit
"Yep, I know how that goes"
>>93527One dies in a pool of green blood. The other hisses, and then flees out of the room
>>93530"ugh,what the buck?"
Dark Star goes down stairs
>>93531It's strangely empty downstairs. The sun is still out
>>93532Dark Star heads up and checks Silver's room
[1d2 = 2]>>93533>>93533It's not immediately obvious if any pony is in the room
>>93535Dark Star is feeling a little spooked
"Hello?"
>>93548Whatever. He arrives at the weapons store, and is greeted by the same pony he saw last time. I think it was a yellow Earth Pony named "Happy Hunting." Or maybe he was a pegasus. I don't remember. This, by the way, was the meaning of the 'alright' posted 4 hours ago, for the record.
>>93550Sorry, that particular meaning was lost on me. Thought you were just acknowledging what I had said.I know I've said this before, but I'm sorry for all the trouble we've given you since this started. I know we are probably the most aggravating group of players you have ever had the misfortune of DMing for, and I am grateful that despite this you are taking the time to craft this game for us. I've been having fun with it.Hooray for not being trapped in the void. As he enters, Silver gives Happy Hunting an apologetic look. This kind of work Silver has been asking of him can't be very pleasant. "Hello. I have couple more weapons I am wondering if you could help me with."
>>93551This is my first game ever to DM"Alright, what have you go here for me?"
>>93552In that case, I'm sorry we're your first players. I think you've been doing an excellent job so far despite all of us fucking it up, though.Silver maintains his apologetic look as he places the Bits Gun, Combat Knife, and Canterlot Sword on the counter. At least he keeps the rusted sword wrapped up to avoid getting rust in Happy Hunting's store. "I was hoping you could help me with maintenance on these weapons, cleaning them and getting them back into fighting shape."
>>93553He looks at the Bits gun, and then back to Silver, with a definite look of concern
"You know this gun is illegal to own, right?"
>>93554Definitely news to Silver, from the confused look on his face. "I am not even certain one could say I own it."
>>93555You've been fine, don't worryHe continues staring at him
"Fully automatic submachine guns are not legal to
possess for any civilian"
>>93556Silver maintains his confused look. "That...sounds odd. It is not as if I plan on doing anything illegal using it. But alright, if you can not do anything to it." He takes the Bits Gun off the counter, slightly worried he's going to get kicked out of the store and possibly banned for something he didn't even know was apparently wrong.
>>93557Silver is
not kicked out, yet, and he looks over to the Canterlot sword
"This is quite a piece of equipment. It appears to have been dulled though"
>>93558Thank goodness for small miracles. If he can make things up with Blue, by some other significantly larger miracle, he might have to ask her about it, see if he could do something or if there's something she can do that would make it no-so-illegal. "Unfortunately. It has been around since late 8th century, at least, though it has been exposed to elements and underwater for most of that time. Found it inside catacombs underneath Curwhinny farm."
>>93559"Well, as it is it will need to be sharpened upon a wheel. It looks strong enough to still be usable, but the outer layer of steel has rusted
>>93560"I think I can find place to sharpen it, sometime later. For now, clearing off rust would be good."
>>93561"As for this combat knife"
he takes a look at it, and balances it
"It doesn't appear to be
too badly corroded for use even know, though you may still want to sharpen it"
Wait, if I'm using UK weapons laws, shouldn't knives and swords be illegal? >>93562He nods, a little surprised by this. Being underwater with that lake ghast since the Great War, he figured it would be more corroded than that. "I suppose I will take care of that along with sword.
>>93565I would figure a combat knife intended to be employed in jungle fighting would be stainless"Do you need anything further?" he asks
>>93566"No, I think that would be it for now."
>>93567"Well then, have a nice day"
>>93568"You too." He grabs the wrapped-up sword and the knife, and leaves the store. With that taken care of, he makes his way to the Grand Baltimare Hotel. Just before he gets into view of the building, however, he makes sure to stash the Bits Gun in a safe place in a nearby alleyway, where nopony else
should find it while he's inside. After all, he doesn't want it to be found on him when the guards search him at the door.
>>93569When he enters, a guard seems to recognize Silver
"I take it you are concluding some essential business?" He asks
>>93570He smiles that grand ol' satisfied smile of when you get finished with a task. "Indeed. I have many important things that need to go to Blue Skies right away." This much is most definitely obvious from how his bags are practically overflowing with books, notes, papers, jars, and little pink crystals, and the large amount of jars that still have to ride alongside him in the grasp of his telekinetic field.
>>93571He briefly waves some sort of wand over Silver, then nods on,
"I think she's through the door in the center, second door on the right"
>>93572"Thank you." He promptly trots to the designated door, jars following him. He knocks on the door when he arrives. "Blue, are you in here?"
>>93573"Who is it?" he hears in reply
>>93574"It is me, Silver. I am back from job. It went exceptionally well, much better than I expected." His voice still sounds strained from the damage it took in his battle earlier. As Silver waits for Blue, he wonders to himself about how long he'll be hoarse like this.
>>93576He does so, bringing the jars with him inside. He starts scratching at an itch he
just can't
quite reach underneath the bandages around his neck.
>>93577She is in the room, sitting behind a desk. Her eyes widen as the materials are brought in
"So, what did you find?" she asks
>>93578"See for yourself." He starts pulling out everything he found from his bags and putting them on the floor. Every book, notebook, note, paper, and jar that pertains to Curwhinny's research, as well as the pretty pink crystals. He also hands her a few books he found directly. "In addition to all of that, I found these: book with knowledge on kinds of dark magic Curwhinny used, tome containing various old and dark secrets on influential Baltimare families, and logbooks from Curwhinny's shipping business back then. I should say that I found note from Curwhinny to his former friend, Cinnamon Corn, which mentioned that he never truly succeeded in his ultimate goal of reuniting body and soul. He could bring one back, or other, but not both."
>>93579I'm really sorry buddy. I really am. >>93581She is fascinated by the haul Silver brought in, and spends a minute just looking through it, diving for the books
>>93582There's that warm, almost prideful feeling from a job-well-done in Silver's heart. "If I had brought cart, I also would have brought back various books that Curwhinny had in his library. Turns out there is another on opposite side of catacombs, still untouched, and there are some from library that got torched that could still be recovered."
On a more somber note, he pulls out Private Green Basin's dog tags and campaign medals. "I, uh...I also found New Marelander soldier in quarry. Private Green Basin, pegasus, 19th Infantry underneath General Ironwood. He had apparently got himself caught by ghast or something of that sort, and had been turned into some form of lake ghast, hiding underneath surface of artificial lake inside quarry. I put him to his final rest, figured Black Hooves would be best ponies for making sure his tags and medals got to his next-of-kin, so they might know he died with honor in service to his country and his people." He pats the bandages around his neck. "Gave me one hell of scratch. Took couple significant chunks of flesh from my neck during fight."
>>93583She looks up to him with her bright, glowing green eyes
"There's more?"
It takes her more than a moment to register the other things Silver said
"Oh yes, a soldier died and you got hurt. Try not to have too much fun with the local wildlife"
>>93584He's...a little upset, at the apparent lack of empathy. But, he reminds himself that she's Nimbusian, not New Marelander. It's unlikely she would have much remorse for a fallen soldier from New Mareland. "Yes, indeed there is. Books of same stock as what you had recovered previously. I would have brought them back, had I more storage space."
>>93585She has that malign grin on her face, and her wings pop up from her sides.
"Excellent! I was worried we had lost all"
>>93586He nods; Silver privately thinks to himself that he'll never quite get used to that unsettling smile, not in a million years. He also thinks to himself that perhaps showing some other member of the Black Hooves the tags and medals would be a more fruitful effort, after he's done.
>>93587She opens a booklet - the book behind the portrait, and gazes at it in awe
"I can't really say I understand precisely what powerful secrets these books contain, but we have magical experts who do. That library should
definitely be checked. The Ancestral Heritage division will take interest even if there is not much of value for Magical Studies
>>93588He pulls his last Hide From Undead potion out of his bags, showing it to Blue. "I still have one potion left, if you would like me to go back and bring those books."
>>93589She looks up at him, perhaps for the first time since he opened the sack
"
Can you get all of those?"
>>93590The smile Silver beams now just absolutely
oozes with confidence. "With my magic, my bags, and cart I have parked back at home? I am absolutely certain I can bring them all back in one go."
>>93591She looks pleased with herself as well, and she leans back. Her wings are still out-folded in evident excitement
"That would be quite the accomplishment"
>>93592"Indeed it will be. Should not take me long, either." He turns to leave the room. Before he does so, he pauses just at the door, looking back at Blue with regret clearly in his face. "And, Blue, about earlier...I am well and truly sorry, about all of that. I am ashamed at myself for what I did. It was terrible, and I...to be honest, I would fully understand if you did not even want to see my face after this is over, for what I did. But, I do value you, and your friendship. Not...any of that back there and then, but your actual friendship. Just...laughing at jokes, having simple pure fun together, discussing things from our past that bring us joy, consoling each other for things in our past that haunt us...occasionally having one-sided political arguments that are clearly in favor of one particular pegasus I know." He motions to Blue, smiling, if only for a brief second. "I know I am just some dumb, old pickle skull, who messed up so badly he has barely even come to terms with how badly he messed up, but, whatever it would take, for this silly bonehead to try to even just begin to make up for all of that...I would gladly do it in heartbeat, if you would allow it."
>>93593She looks at him still, and her expression changes. Greatly. The smile moves away and she becomes expressionless, then very serious
“Silver, what is it you want?”
>>93594He looks disheartened by the response, as his own expression falls, and his ears fall to the side of his head. Sounds like she does indeed want nothing to do with him, outside of this job. "Nothing."
>>93595“Let me ask the same in a different way. Do you love me?”
>>93596In Silver's mind, that is a
very different question, enough so his expression briefly changes to one of mild shock. "...In traditional sense, like I did with Storm, or how...Dark does with you? No, I do not think so just yet. I have only known you for three days, now. I feel as though I still have much to learn about you. Perhaps, over time as I learn more about you and decide that I like what I learn, that would change and I would develop feelings for you. Perhaps. But it would be extremely premature to say, explicitly, that I love you now. As friend, however, so far I would say so."
>>93509He shakes his head.
"That is why I am thinking I may be a little off my mind. But let us just say that the those ponies make enemies too easily with other political factions due to their 'If you are not for us, then you are against us' kind of rhetoric."
>>93597She blinks, and looks down, then back at Silver.
“Very well. I will have your payment for you after this load from the other library is collected”
>>93598“They can be sort of violent and stubborn. But I do not know what happened there”
>>93599Iron pokes his chin.
"Oh. Well, from what I remember they had a speech of sorts before that explosion happened. Something about pretending to be natives and attacking their political opposition, the cowards."
>>93599"I..." He sighs, now definitely disheartened by her response, and now definitely believing that she wants nothing to do with him after this job.
Great way to ruin everything, Silver. "...alright." He leaves in a dejected march, stopping at the front desk to speak with the pony staffing it. At the very least, perhaps he could find that the pony there is more willing than Blue to show some basic empathy towards Private Green Basin and his unfortunate fate.
>>93601“One little tip for dealing with friends and other assorted non-lovers. If they wanted what was underneath their tails to be violated, they would raise it for you on their own free will. They don’t need their tails to be aside with magic”
>>93602Silver looks around for whoever said that, the look on his face suggesting that it's the last thing he wants to hear right now.
>>93604Silver can get a pretty good guess of who said that
>>93605He doesn't say anything back into the room he just left. He hurts too much. He just heads for the front desk, seeing if there's somepony who can help him with Green Basin, at least.